The Junto Nakatani next fight is a hot topic of conversation, with boxing fans desperate to see the Naoya Inoue clash.
Whether Nakatani fights Inoue before the end of the year or early in 2026 remains to be seen, with the Japanese boxing superstar rumoured to be stepping up to 122-pounds after unifying the bantamweight division.
Junto Nakatani Next Fight: When Is The Unbeaten Japanese Superstar Back In Action?
Junto Nakatani has become quite the superstar in boxing circles over the past year or two. The undefeated Japanese fighter fought three times in 2024, as well as kicking off 2025 with two emphatic knockout victories in February and June respectively.
As of today, Junto Nakatani’s record sits at a perfect 31-0, consisting of 24 knockout victories and just seven decision wins. The 27-year-old is arguably the second biggest sports star in Japan, behind a certain Naoya Inoue of course.
Nakatani currently holds the WBC & IBF World Bantamweight Titles after becoming unified champion last time out. Prior to becoming world champion at 118-pounds, Nakatani held world title belts at both flyweight and super-flyweight. All in all, Junto Nakatani is a three-weight world champion already.
Regarding what is on the horizon, the Junto Nakatani next fight is yet to be confirmed. After becoming the unified 118-pound champion last time out with his stoppage victory over Ryosuke Nishida, all eyes are on what Nakatani’s next move could be.
If Nakatani wants to continue campaigning at bantamweight, then it could be more unification fights. Yoshiki Takei (WBO) and Antonio Vargas (WBA) are the two other belt holders at 118-pounds, and fights against them, both of which would be all-Japanese affairs, make total sense for Nakatani next.
These are both viable options for Nakatani’s next fight, as is the super-fight with Inoue. It remains to be seen who exactly will be standing in the opposite corner of the ring to Junto in his next fight, which will likely take place before the end of the year.
No matter who it is, the Japanese powerhouse will likely be favourite to win via knockout. He is such a concussive puncher and one of the best fighters in the world. Period.
Could Nakatani’s Next Fight Be The All-Japanese Naoya Inoue Super-Fight?
Another option for the Junto Nakatani next fight is of course the all-Japanese undefeated clash with Naoya Inoue. This is the fight boxing fans want to see more than any other between two of the best fighters on the planet.
Naoya Inoue’s next fight looks like it will be against MJ Akhmadaliev in September, but after that it looks like the Nakatani showdown could finally happen. If it does, this would undoubtedly be the single biggest fight in Japanese boxing history.
For this fight to happen, it is likely that Nakatani would need to move up to super-bantamweight where ‘Monster’ is the current undisputed champion. It is highly unlikely Inoue will move back down to 118-pounds, a division he has already conquered and become undisputed king of.
A super-bantamweight clash between the pair makes total sense, if of course Junto Nakatani’s next fight is up at 122-pounds. This seems likely, given the fact Nakatani himself hinted at moving up after his latest knockout victory over Ryosuke Nishida.
Naoya Inoue with a message to Junto Nakatani following his win earlier today. pic.twitter.com/LsBP5Pe4bR
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) June 8, 2025
Should this fight happen, fans would find it hard to split them with both fighters undefeated and devastating punchers. Inoue would probably be the slight favourite given he is regarded as a pound-for-pound boxing great, but Nakatani himself would certainly have plenty of backers too.
Fingers crossed the Inoue vs Nakatani super-fight happens in the not so distant future. If it does get made, the Junto Nakatani’s next fight would be the toughest of his career, of that there is no doubt.
